Kidney Health Assessment via Electrical Impedance Tomography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating kidney disease, such as measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from blood samples, are susceptible to bias and errors, and do not provide real-time or non-invasive monitoring.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to process data sets from the abdominal region of a subject, determining kidney-related conductivity characteristics, and using machine learning models to assess kidney health states or conditions, including estimating GFR and classifying kidney disease stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If blood sample methods are used to measure GFR, then kidney function can be evaluated, but the method is susceptible to bias and errors and requires invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive blood sampling system with an electrical field-based EIT system. Electrical impedance tomography uses external electrodes to apply electrical fields and measure impedance changes, substituting the need for blood draws and laboratory analysis with a non-invasive electrical measurement system that directly assesses kidney function through conductivity changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures electrical impedance parameters (conductivity, permittivity) as alternative indicators of kidney function instead of relying on blood-based GFR measurements. By monitoring changes in electrical conductivity of kidney tissue, the system provides a non-invasive method that avoids the biases and errors associated with blood sample analysis while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If traditional GFR measurement methods are used, then kidney health can be assessed, but real-time or continuous monitoring is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The EIT system enables continuous monitoring of kidney function by maintaining constant electrical field application and continuously measuring impedance changes. Unlike discrete blood sample measurements, the electrical fields continuously interact with kidney tissue, providing real-time data streams that allow for ongoing assessment of kidney health without interruption or repeated invasive procedures.
3Ease of operation
If EIT is used to measure kidney conductivity, then non-invasive monitoring is achieved, but complex data processing and machine learning models are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces machine learning models as intermediary components that bridge the gap between raw EIT impedance data and clinically meaningful kidney function assessments. These models process the complex electrical impedance patterns, extract relevant features, and translate them into interpretable metrics, making the non-invasive EIT system practical for clinical use despite the complexity of the underlying data processing requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
EIT provides a non-invasive, cost-effective method for accurately assessing kidney health by measuring conductivity changes associated with kidney function, potentially improving early detection and monitoring of kidney diseases.
Implementation Method 1
Electrical impedance tomography is a medical imaging technique that can be used for determining electrical conductivity, permittivity, and/or impedance of a body part of a subject
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method that includes processing a EIT data set of a subject to determine one or more kidney-related conductivity characteristics of the subject, and, determining, based on at least the one or more determined kidney-related conductivity characteristics of the subject, a health state or condition of the at least one kidney of the subject.